Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survival
Unlike most Rangifer herds, free-ranging female reindeer {Rangifer tarandus) on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska frequently give birth as yearlings (12 months). In other reindeer herds this early reproduction has led to negative effects such as decreased future weight gain and reproduction. We analyzed...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Septentrio Academic Publishing
1999-04-01
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| Series: | Rangifer |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/283 |
| _version_ | 1818525483570036736 |
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| author | Alexander K. Prichard Greg L. Finstad Drew H. Shain |
| author_facet | Alexander K. Prichard Greg L. Finstad Drew H. Shain |
| author_sort | Alexander K. Prichard |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Unlike most Rangifer herds, free-ranging female reindeer {Rangifer tarandus) on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska frequently give birth as yearlings (12 months). In other reindeer herds this early reproduction has led to negative effects such as decreased future weight gain and reproduction. We analyzed reindeer data collected on the Seward Peninsula between 1987 and 1997 to determine what effect lactating as yearlings had on future weight gain, reproductive rates, and survival. Reindeer were rounded up during June and early July. Individual ear tag numbers were recorded, females were visually inspected for the presence of a distended udder, and some animals were weighed. Females with distended udders as yearlings had subsequent recapture rates, survival rates, weight gain, and future reproductive success comparable to females that did not have distended udders as yearlings. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of increased calf weight gain outweigh potential negative effects of early reproduction in these reindeer. This may be due to high quality range leading to heavy calves and the ability of females to maintain body reserves during lactation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T06:09:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8c7a46e9ec054f25b84fd62560045f7a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1890-6729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T06:09:48Z |
| publishDate | 1999-04-01 |
| publisher | Septentrio Academic Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Rangifer |
| spelling | doaj.art-8c7a46e9ec054f25b84fd62560045f7a2022-12-22T01:18:09ZengSeptentrio Academic PublishingRangifer1890-67291999-04-0119210.7557/2.19.2.283259Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survivalAlexander K. Prichard0Greg L. Finstad1Drew H. Shain2Reindeer Research Program, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7200, USAReindeer Research Program, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7200, USAReindeer Research Program, School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management, Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7200, USAUnlike most Rangifer herds, free-ranging female reindeer {Rangifer tarandus) on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska frequently give birth as yearlings (12 months). In other reindeer herds this early reproduction has led to negative effects such as decreased future weight gain and reproduction. We analyzed reindeer data collected on the Seward Peninsula between 1987 and 1997 to determine what effect lactating as yearlings had on future weight gain, reproductive rates, and survival. Reindeer were rounded up during June and early July. Individual ear tag numbers were recorded, females were visually inspected for the presence of a distended udder, and some animals were weighed. Females with distended udders as yearlings had subsequent recapture rates, survival rates, weight gain, and future reproductive success comparable to females that did not have distended udders as yearlings. These findings suggest that the beneficial effects of increased calf weight gain outweigh potential negative effects of early reproduction in these reindeer. This may be due to high quality range leading to heavy calves and the ability of females to maintain body reserves during lactation.https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/283Lactationyearling reindeerlife historyRangifer tarandusprimiparityAlaska |
| spellingShingle | Alexander K. Prichard Greg L. Finstad Drew H. Shain Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survival Rangifer Lactation yearling reindeer life history Rangifer tarandus primiparity Alaska |
| title | Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survival |
| title_full | Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survival |
| title_fullStr | Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survival |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survival |
| title_short | Lactation in yearling Alaskan reindeer: Implications for growth, reproduction, and survival |
| title_sort | lactation in yearling alaskan reindeer implications for growth reproduction and survival |
| topic | Lactation yearling reindeer life history Rangifer tarandus primiparity Alaska |
| url | https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/283 |
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